The grand nephew of former US president John F Kennedy, Joe Kennedy III, is pitted against veteran progressive incumbent Ed Markey in Massachusetts primaries, the last state primaries of the year, on Tuesday, reported AFP.
The contest between the two progressive candidates with similar political positions will go down to the wire in a busy Democratic primary in Massachusetts. The 39-year-old is part of the family’s fourth generation to carry the political torch, reported AFP. HE entered the House of Representatives in 2013.
Joe Kenney III made his closing argument to voters late Monday. He said, “Know what is at stake, and they know what we can do, and what is the only thing that’s left is whether we meet this moment.”
His rival Ed Markey,74, is a political work-horse and had spent 37 years in the House of Representatives before rising to the Senate in 2013.
Markey told reporters that he was treating the polls scheduled for Tuesday as Game 7 of the World Series. Addressing his supporters at Brookline, the Boston suburb where 35th President of the United States JFK was born.
Markey said, “There’s nothing guaranteed.”
The Kennedy family, for all but two years since 1947, has served in elective office. Kennedy III is running on the promise of a new generation and has received a rare endorsement from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
Markey has touted anti-establishment rhetoric as mantra for his campaign too has powerful supporters. He has received the recommendation of Senator Elizabeth Warren and progressive star Alexandria Ocasio Cortez. Markey has co-authored the Green New Deal for tackling climate change along with Alexandria Ocasio Cortez.
“When it comes to progressive leadership, it’s not your age that counts, it’s the age of your ideas. And Ed Markey is the leader that we need,” 30-year-old lawmaker AOC said.
While no Kennedy has lost an election from Massachusetts, Joe III has tried to portray himself as more committed to the role.
“The biggest difference between myself and the senator is how we define the job, It’s being more engaged, it’s giving your heart and soul to the seat,” Kennedy told the Boston Globe.